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November 2006
Dear
family and friends,
Greetings to you with agape love in the name of our Creator,
Redeemer, Savior, and Lord! Think for a moment about the fact
that “ee are created by Christ, for Christ,
to go to Christ.” These truths bring value, purpose, and a
heavenly perspective to our everyday living.
Billy Sunday
(baseball player turned preacher) said, “More people fail for lack
of purpose than lack of talents, gifts, or abilities.” In John
4:34, Jesus said, “My meat (purpose) is to do the will of my Father
who sent me…” Colossians 1:16 says, “Christ Jesus created all
things in heaven and earth...created by Him and for Him.” Think
of it--we are the ultimate joy of His creation! No wonder
He so freely gave His own life to redeem us, to put into us the
righteousness of God so we can live for Him here and with Him
in heaven forever! Perhaps this letter is sounding more like a
message, but understanding who created us and why we are on earth is
what gives purpose and fuels our passion for Jesus Christ!
As for our family, Sarah and I had the privilege of joining my
brothers and sisters and their spouses on a four-day journey, taking
my mom and dad to Mackinac Island, MI. It was a
memory-building trip for our family. I believe that at last
count, Mom and Dad now have 62 grandchildren and 72
great-grandchildren. We dearly love Mom and Dad and are so
grateful for the love-for-God-and-people legacy passed on to their
children and grandchildren, etc. Having Dad’s sister Nancy and
Mom’s brother Raymond and wife Esther along was another special
blessing to all of us.
Our daughter Megan stayed with Chad and Carolyn while we were gone.
We are homeschooling Megan this year, and Debi Martin, former GEET
secretary, is tutoring her part-time, which is a great help.
As for ministry, it was a special blessing to have Rendall's join us
on our recent banquet trip to the Midwest. Ron and Rhonda were
very gracious in allowing Rendall's to use their new bus to make
this journey. Merle Stoltzfus also traveled with them.
It had been six or seven years since we’d been to Hutchinson, KS.
Well over 100 Amish were among the 400 or so that squeezed into a
small school gymnasium. Amos Raber was known among the Amish
there, but this was his first visit to the area.
The banquets were a special blessing, but above all came the joy of
seeing people pray to receive Jesus Christ. Our PA banquets
will probably be over by the time you get this letter. Lord
willing, Sarah and Megan plan to join me for the Ohio banquets on
November 1-4. Duane’s, Ron’s, Amos’s, and Dave’s also plan to
be at the Ohio banquets.
My brother Jonas asked if I would join him and his wife Catherine in
taking a group to Ghana on November 7-21. Please pray as
preparations are being made for village evangelism, medical clinics,
and hospital and prison ministry. There are also new converts
to baptize from the AIDS clinic ministry.
We are looking forward to having Chad's, Rendall's, Amy, and Emily
crash at our house over Thanksgiving. It will be a lively
setting, but we really thank God for the blessing of family and
their love for the Lord.
Please keep us in your daily prayers. It is only by God’s
amazing grace and His tender mercies that we live and have our
being. May we live, looking for His soon return.
Because
of Jesus,
Nelson &
family
P.S. As
you know, armed robbers came to the orphanages for money this past
Monday evening. The two Ghanaian house fathers were beaten and
a guard was shot in the leg. We thank God for protecting the
women and children. Please pray earnestly and daily for all
the staff and children. |
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